Ban Saen Tor Weaving Group

Rating: 3/5 (6 votes)

Open Days: Daily (it is recommended to contact the group in advance if visiting as a group or requesting learning activities)

Opening Hours: 09.00–16.00 (hours may vary depending on group activities)

 

Ban Saen Tor Weaving Group is a lifestyle-based tourism destination in Hang Dong District, Chiang Mai, clearly reflecting how community members come together to create value from “free time” and the “life experience” of older adults. The weaving work here is not the result of industrial production, but of a slow and steady rhythm of life—hands long accustomed to farming and rice cultivation, and a shared intention to transform traditional knowledge into supplementary income in a balanced way. Nothing is rushed, nothing is competitive, and the community’s roots are never abandoned.

 

The Ban Saen Tor Weaving Group was officially established on April 15, 2010, following a resolution of the Ban Saen Tor village meeting. The group received initial funding support from the Hang Dong District Community Development Office in the form of a community management budget totaling 20,000 baht. While modest in monetary terms, this first fund carried strong symbolic meaning—it marked the beginning of collective discussion, cooperation, and a shared decision on how to make the best use of limited resources for the benefit of group members.

 

After receiving the initial budget, group members jointly discussed and agreed on purchasing basic materials and equipment for weaving, including natural raw materials, simple tools, and items that would make the work more efficient. The initial goal was intentionally modest—not to expand rapidly, but to create supplementary income during free time from primary occupations such as farming and gardening. This was especially suitable for older adults who still had the strength, time, and accumulated handcraft skills gained through years of lived experience.

 

What gives Ban Saen Tor weaving greater meaning than simply being “products for sale” is its role as a social activity. Weaving provides a reason for older adults to gather, talk, exchange ideas, and spend time together in meaningful ways. On many days, the pace of work is neither fast nor slow, but flows naturally alongside conversation, laughter, and the sharing of small techniques from one person to another. The finished pieces therefore carry not only patterns of natural materials, but also patterns of human relationships woven quietly into each item.

 

From a lifestyle perspective, weaving requires patience and deep concentration. Building the frame, interlacing, tightening, and finishing the edges all demand consistent timing and careful attention. This kind of work suits people who are not in a hurry and aligns naturally with the rhythm of life of older adults. As a result, no two pieces are exactly alike; each carries the clear imprint of the maker’s hands—an irreplaceable charm that industrial production cannot replicate.

 

Over time, the Ban Saen Tor Weaving Group has gradually expanded its role from a supplementary occupation into a learning space and a lifestyle-based tourism destination. Visitors do not come merely to purchase items; they can observe real production processes, converse with the makers, and gain a deeper understanding of how much time and dedication go into a single woven piece. Such experiences help bridge the gap between “users” and “producers,” bringing them closer together.

 

A visit to the Ban Saen Tor Weaving Group is therefore ideal for travelers who wish to slow down, learn about community life without rushing, and directly support income generation for older adults. Purchasing products here is not just a transaction—it is a way of supporting a system of relationships and shared values that the community has carefully built over many years.

 

Getting There The Ban Saen Tor Weaving Group is located in Hang Dong District, Chiang Mai. It can be reached from Chiang Mai city by traveling toward Hang Dong, with an approximate travel time of 20–30 minutes. Using navigation apps and contacting the group in advance to confirm the meeting point is recommended for convenience.

 

 

A: It was formed through the collective initiative of villagers, especially older adults, to create supplementary income during free time from farming and gardening, with initial support from the Hang Dong District Community Development Office.

 

A: The key distinction lies in its pace and purpose—handmade work rooted in real community life, with equal emphasis on human relationships and the products themselves.

 

A: Yes, visitors can inquire in advance. Those wishing to visit as a group or join learning activities should coordinate with the group beforehand.

 

A: It is ideal for lifestyle-based and community tourism, especially for travelers interested in local wisdom and unhurried learning experiences.

 

A: It directly supports income for older adults and helps ensure the continued preservation of traditional weaving knowledge within the community.